Sandusky Watershed eligible for program

Kristine PhilipsPublished: October 14, 2006 12:00AM

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the Sandusky Watershed is eligible to participate in the Conservation Security Program in 2007.
Terry Cosby, state conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Ohio, announced the watershed, encompassing 11 counties in north central Ohio, was selected in Ohio.
With the amount of conservation activity taking place in this area of the state, the selection of the Sandusky Watershed will complement the ongoing conservation efforts of agricultural producers in these counties.
The 11 counties with land in this watershed include Sandusky, Ottawa, Erie, Huron, Richland, Crawford, Wyandot, Marion, Hardin, Seneca and Wood counties. Many of these counties also are within the boundaries of the Lake Erie Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, which the secretary of agriculture enhanced this year.
The Conservation Security Program rewards agricultural producers who are proven stewards of the land. No-till farming, lining streams and rivers with buffers to capture run-off and provide wildlife habitat, recycling oil from farming operations, planting windbreaks and many similar activities are the type of conservation practices rewarded by stewardship payments to farmers in the CSP. Incentives to do even more to protect the environment and conserve natural resources also are offered through CSP.
If you are interested in more information, call our offices at 419-289-2421 or 419-281-7645.
n Rocemi Morales is a local soil conservationist for USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. She can be reached at 419-281-7645.